Two things we learned about actor Timothée Chalamet recently:
- He portrays Bob Dylan in the new biopic A Complete Unknown (pictured above)
- He’s ‘pretty good’ at poker
The latter fact was spilled by his co-star Elle Fanning during a red carpet interview, while the former is available to see in movie theaters now (and releases today in the UK).
Is there some connection between these two facts? Does getting up close and personal with the work of Bob Dylan help when it comes to making moves at the poker table?
While I’m no Dylanologist, I’m a fan of his music. Likewise, I’m no Dylan Weisman, but I know my way around a card table. Let’s take a look and see what nuggets of poker wisdom a fish like me might glean from some of his biggest hits.
1. "When you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose" – Like a Rolling Stone
The answer, my friend, is knowing ICM.
Of course, part of the beauty of poker is that you always have something to lose, but knowing how to wield a short stack is a key skill that everyone - especially tournament players - need to learn.
When you’re running on fumes, sometimes a long shot is the only shot you’re gonna get. Better to burn out than to blind away.
2. "You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows" – Subterranean Homesick Blues
Pay attention at the tables. You and everyone at your table is constantly changing gears, moods and stack sizes. Bet-sizing, pattern recognition, tilt, body language, table talk… All you need to do to ‘know which way the wind blows’ is to keep your eyes open and stay alert.
If you’re the last one to notice, it’s already too late.
3. "To live outside the law, you must be honest" – Absolutely Sweet Marie
Poker is a game of constant deception, misdirection and hidden information, with meaningful, real-world implications; we keep score using the very same tokens we need for food and shelter.
Ironically, this game which has so often attracted outsiders, outliers and outlaws has a strong moral code. Scammers, hucksters and cheats exist, but when found they’re usually outed and vilified. Integrity counts.
4. "You better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone" – The Times They Are A-Changin'
Poker evolves. What worked before may not work again, whether that’s within a hand, a session, or your whole poker career. As our opponents pick up on new tactics, trends and strategies, we must move with the times.
Most of the best players in the world dedicate time to study, analysis and training. If you’re not moving forwards you’re falling behind - there is no standing still.
5. "There’s no success like failure, and failure’s no success at all" – Love Minus Zero/No Limit
No one wins every hand, every session or every week. Improving at poker involves learning how to lose, take your lumps and your lessons, and keep coming back for more.
To be results-oriented is to live at the whim of the fates; the real winners take reward from making the correct decisions, whichever way the cards fall.
6. "Everything passes, everything changes, just do what you think you should do" – To Ramona
That downswing will end. But then, so will that upswing.
Poker, like life, is an unpredictable game; sometimes the best you can do is keep an even keel, believe in your process and enjoy the journey.
7. “Make your money while you can, before you have to stop. For when you pull that dead man’s hand, your gamblin’ days are up” – Rambling Gambling Willie
‘That dead man’s hand’ is famously two pair, aces and eights, which legend says was held by ‘Wild’ Bill Hickock when he met his end playing cards in a Wild West saloon.
The end comes to us all, a time when ‘you have to stop’. But it’ll come even quicker if you gamble irresponsibly, or don’t practice good bankroll management. These are bigger dangers for modern poker players than getting caught in a shootout. Stay aware of the potential dangers out there, and act with wisdom and purpose.
8. "Behind every beautiful thing, there’s been some kind of pain" – Not Dark Yet
In a zero-sum game like poker, every chip won is someone else’s chip lost. Losing hurts, and for poker to really mean something, it has to. This truth can be tough to deal with, and is one of many at the heart of gambling’s golden rule - don’t wager what you can’t afford to lose.
Be a gracious winner, as well as a gracious loser - by the end of the day, we’ll all get plenty of practice being both.
9. “His bodyguards and silver cane were no match for the Jack of Hearts” – Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts
Reputation and standing are all well and good, but the cards still fall where they may. No amount of money, success or high falutin’ living can guarantee success at the poker table.
Ever dreamed of knocking Phil Ivey out of a tournament? In every tourney he’s ever played that he didn’t win, someone did just that. A deck of cards can be a great leveller.
10. “Don’t think twice, it’s all right”– Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
When the action’s on you in a difficult spot, you need to take the time to figure out where you’re at, what your opponents could have, what they think you could have, what their actions indicate, your table image, past hands, similar scenarios…
Long story short: you’re almost always gonna need to think more than twice.
A Complete Unknown, starring poker fan Timothée Chalamet, is out in theaters now.
Featured image courtesy of Macall Polay/Searchlight Pictures
